Notre Dame vs. Alabama: Why BCS, Fans Should Root for Epic Matchup

Notre Dame vs. Alabama would be the BCS's dream. The epic matchup would also be something that could appeal to all college football fans. Young and old.

The traditional Notre Dame is guaranteed a spot in the national title game after running the table and will get the winner of the SEC Championship game—Georgia or Alabama.

While Georgia vs. Notre Dame would be a great throwback to the 1980 season, Alabama is a more traditional power for college football dating back to the legendary Bear Bryant. But traditionally, Alabama has 14 national titles to compete with the 11 that the Fighting Irish have.

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Alabama vs. Notre Dame isn't guaranteed

Alabama still has to get past an excellent Georgia team. While the Bulldogs are known as one that chokes when the big game comes their way, there is a different feel about how this team has come together since the loss to South Carolina.

It's very similar to how they did the same thing in 2011 when they went on to win 10 in a row after losing to the Gamecocks the second week of the season. Should the Bulldogs we have seen the past six weeks show up, Alabama could be in for the fight of their season.

Georgia matches up well with the Crimson Tide and could turn this into a great matchup of strength versus strength. However, for Alabama to create a classic matchup, they have to take out Georgia in what will be a glorified home game to set up the epic showdown with Notre Dame.

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Don't sleep on Notre Dame in a matchup versus the SEC champion

While the Notre Dame offense isn't a killer, it's defense is easily one of the top two units in the country. While Alabama's defense has allowed just 9.3 points per game, Notre Dame's defense has allowed just 10.3 points per game. This matchup looks like it would be a defensive struggle.

However, Notre Dame and Alabama also share an interesting designation. Each team has had just one game where the opposing team was able to score on more than three drives. That means they have allowed more than 17 points against other teams just once each this season.

The Notre Dame team has already played better offenses than Alabama can throw at it, but this will be a defensive battle should it happen. But in a defensive battle, it wouldn't surprise me to see Notre Dame pull it out.

Nor should it surprise anyone else. They are in the BCS national title game for a reason.